Merc. And Venus, of her mercy, let me kiss thee, dear, dear Phædra!
Phæd. Not so fast, Sosia; there's a damned proverb in your way,—"Many things happen betwixt the cup and the lip," you know.
Merc. Why, thou wilt not cheat me of my goblet?
Phæd. Yes, as sure as you would cheat me of my maidenhead: I am yet but just even with you, for the last trick you played me. And, besides, this is but a bare retaining fee; you must give me another before the cause is opened.
Merc. Shall I not come to your bed-side to-night?
Phæd. No, nor to-morrow night neither; but this shall be my sweetheart in your place: 'tis a better bedfellow, and will keep me warmer in cold weather. [Exit Phædra.
Mercury alone.
Merc. Now, what's the god of wit in a woman's hand? This very goblet I stole from Gripus; and he got it out of bribes, too. But this is the common fate of ill-gotten goods, that, as they came in by covetousness, they go out by whoring.—
Enter Amphitryon.
Oh, here's Amphitryon again; but I'll manage him above in the balcony [Exit Mercury.